The 1531 act was punishment for 'behaving improperly'. Those who were regarded as being fit enough to work for a living but who chose instead to try to beg for food or money were branded as 'sturdy beggars', and were given a very hard time if caught. It didn't seem to matter much whether they were 'mugging', or 'performing' or anything in between, even including criminal activity (including the 'coney'** game) - people's attitudes don't seem to have changed much.

Robin

** 'Ferrets' were used to track down 'coneys' in the 'warrens' where they lived and worked. A Coney was a female rabbit, so you can guess what these 'sturdy beggar' ladies were doing...